I started this lovely health journey on the 4th July 2016. With the guidance of my guru Bridget from New Leaf Nutrition who said – you have to believe in yourself. She was very clear that what we were doing was not a diet – it’s a lifestyle change and it’s not about the weight loss, it’s about permanent changes. So I listened, I did what she said and here I am 12 kilos down in and feeling like a bloody winner! I am just finishing week 14 ……… and I am just beginning.
If I had gone into this thinking omg 3 months – I can’t do that – which is what I would have said if I was doing without or ‘dieting’ – I would never have achieved this feeling. I have made so many changes; my pantry and fridge looks like it belongs to another woman. I am choosing beautiful delicious fresh foods every time; my coffee addiction is cured – I have one a week, if that – this saddens me a little as it was such a fun occupation comparing coffee houses.
I know the changes will continue in my life as I have embraced them wholeheartedly. They save money, time, and give me such a high sense of well-being and confidence I cannot explain. I have another 25 kilos to go but already I am 100% healthier, 150% happier and 12.5 kilos slimmer which has made everything easier like walking, cleaning, breathing and just generally living. My snoring has nearly stopped – I believe – except for a little relapse now and again – which means I am much more refreshed when I wake up and the day is not a battle anymore.
I have had an incredibly busy few weeks, which is why I haven’t written my updates, and through all the events, parties, get-togethers, movies and one open day, all I had that was not on my list of good stuff was a small piece of chocolate mud birthday cake, some bubbly, some red wine, a ½ sausage on ½ piece of bread and a few nips of black sambucca – which was of course forced on me and was terrible….. I have maintained my 12.5 weight loss during the past few hectic weeks and that is fine by me. I definitely haven’t missed out on anything! (these little beauties are the wagon wheels from Kunara….very special and keep up our energy …..)
We had a big weekend at the magnificent Rainbow Beach with friends and family helping my Dad to celebrate his 80th birthday. I took: – walnuts, almonds, 24 avocados (yes 24 and they all went), 4 lemons, 2 bunches asparagus, 2 big bags lettuce, capsicum, 3 cooked chooks cut up, 3 punnets of grape tomatoes, coriander, parsley, 2 rockmelons, 2 pineapples, 20 bananas, blueberries, a big tub of strawberries, eggs, 4 bags of sweet potatoes, balsamic vinegar, red onions, snow peas, 1 small tub of Persian feta to go on one salad, and a few bottles of red wine. The cost: – $100 for the fruit and salad, $30 for the chooks and $24 for the wine. I shopped at one chook shop, one fruit shop and one bottle shop– job done. I did buy milk and bread when we arrived and my son bought and cooked a couple of steaks from the local butcher.
This time last year I spent $500 at the supermarket plus whatever I took from my fridge and pantry at home, a carton of bubbly on top of that, and when I unpacked I had nothing to eat! This was, to me a very important milestone and has made me feel totally awesome and proud. I made 3 batches of bliss balls to take for my sweet cravings which worked well – apricot, chocolate and peppermint.
Don’t be sorry for the boys – they ate just fine. My eldest only arrived on the day so he had the luncheon and we left. My youngest had his steaks plus my mom had prepared a roast one night and a bbq one night which my salad and veges joined. Lunches were chicken and salad and there was always lovely fresh fruit. I did miss my cheese with drinks, but it was my choice not to have any, so I stuck to almonds. I also didn’t have my usual 4 slices of rainbow beach bread toasted with lashings of butter – and that was ok too.
So, lots of positives – no negatives – nothing spectacular but lots to be grateful for – basically – a feeling like a winner. I am addicted to the Acai Bowls and one day pre Open Day I actually had two in one day – haha so funny but so good. Chicken and veges is still my go to for dinner or chicken/egg and salad for lunch. Avocado’s are simply amazing at the moment – the best I have ever tasted as are the Paw Paws. I continue to have bliss balls on hand, oats for breakfast – except for a few extravagant $5.50 Bircher Muesli’s from Kunara – delicious. And I have to say the Acai bowl from Flannery’s has moved to equal top of my list – yum.
I haven’t gone back to smoothies and that’s ok for now – I feel better without them – all these years wanting to start and after only 4 days I stopped because of the palpitations – which have well and truly stopped. We joined a gym this week and this week-end we will begin. I will be doing cardio while my 3 men do their weights – cardio is for girls you know. I have some new GORGEOUS joggers which I will show you next week – the boys are horrified – they are boys basketball high tops they gasped – too bad I said, they are mine. The lady informed us they were ladies gym shoes – sold!
If you are on the same mission as I am with your health or weight, please share you story with me on email lee.mccarthy@womenshq.com.au and I would love to share with our readers. Likewise if you have any personal stories or experiences you wish to share feel free to email me. I will have a look and if in the same vein as Womens HQ I would love to publish it for you as others may benefit from your story.
This photo below was last week-end. I am letting the colour grow out of my hair and it really didn’t look as bad as the photo suggests I hope, but I felt fabulous, fit, confident, happy, involved, in control, proud and a part of the event – and comfortable – how good does that feel. Have a great week ladies! Lee
